Fibre optic cable coupler

ABSTRACT

A fibre optic coupler assembly for optically aligning a sectioned fibre optic cable, the cable having a first end and a second end and comprising one or more fibre optic cores. The assembly comprises a first holder for holding the first end; a second holder for holding the second end coupled to the first end; a retractor for retracting the second end; an aligning unit comprising a resilient construction having a conduit passing through it, for linear alignment of the ends; whereby the first and second ends are coupled by the respective holders and whereby the second end can be linearly aligned in the conduit of the aligning unit, retracted using the retractor, and rotated to obtain rotational alignment of the fiber cores of the ends.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The subject of the invention relates to improvements to couplers forfibre optic cables.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior solutions to the problem of coupling and uncoupling of fibre opticcables have been provided. European patent 0347118 provides a fibreconnector for end-to-end abutment with another like fibre connector,where a fibre cable can be positioned in the connector for terminationthereof. U.S. Pat. No. 5,550,944 provides a fibre optic couplingassembly that includes a coupling assembly comprised of a spring loadedcoupling lock which locks two fibre connectors together by way of springballs located in locking grooves.

However there are a number of limitations in prior art connectors, whichcan be ameliorated.

-   -   They are manufactured for a specific cable diameter rather than        accepting a range of diameters.    -   They do not provide an easy means for rotating multiple-core        cables until correct alignment is achieved.    -   They require a special connector at each abutting cable section        end, making it impossible to slip a device such as an        angioplasty balloon over one of the cable sections.    -   They require high degrees of tolerance and tend to become        unusable after some tens of uses due to wear.    -   They are expensive to manufacture due to the costs of materials        and the need to maintain high tolerances.

Therefore, it is a main object of the present invention to provide acoupling means for coupling and decoupling a fiber optic cable, thecable comprising one or more fibre optic cores.

Other benefits of the present invention include:

-   -   The exact cable diameter is not relevant.    -   The device operates with low tolerances, keeping it effective        after many uses.    -   Operation is easy, with the user simply pushing down on a button        or clip or pulling out and rotating a cylinder.    -   One or both of the cable sections can be used with the device        without being fitted with a connector.    -   There is no ambiguity about choosing the right insertion opening        for each cable end.    -   The components are manufactured with very loose tolerances,        except for the alignment groove and the securing mechanism. In        addition most of the parts can be made of inexpensive plastic.        There fore the coupler is suitable for inexpensive mass        production and hence can be used for disposable applications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, A fibre optic coupler assembly for optically aligninga sectioned fibre optic cable, the cable having a first end and a secondend and comprising one or more fibre optic cores, the assemblycomprising:

-   -   a first holder for holding the first end;    -   a second holder for holding the second end coupled to the first        end;    -   a retractor for retracting the second end;    -   an aligning unit comprising a resilient construction having a        conduit passing through it, for linear alignment of the ends;        whereby the first and second ends are coupled by the respective        holders and whereby the second end can be linearly aligned in        the conduit of the aligning unit, retracted using the retractor,        and rotated to obtain rotational alignment of the fiber cores of        the ends.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, the first holder comprises a first guide having abore extending therethrough adjacent to a first cable lock also with abore extending therethrough adjacent to the distal end of the aligningunit; the bores for receiving the first cable end.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, the lock comprises a spring pad connected by rods toa release button.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, the second holder comprises a second guide having abore extending therethrough adjacent to a proximal end of the aligningunit, the second guide bore for receiving the second end, the secondguide further equipped with a second lock.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, the second lock is a luer connector.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, the retractor comprises a spring adjacent to thesecond holder, the force of the spring restrained by a clip.

Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, the aligning unit comprises a first part having alonga longitudinal axis a flat surface with a groove running down the middleof the surface, the groove having a diameter less than the diameter ofthe ends, a second part having a flat face along a longitudinal axis,the two parts held together along their flat faces by a springmechanism, the face of the second part holding the ends in the groove ofthe first part, the spring mechanism holding the two parts togetherwhile enabling them to move apart when the retractor is operated,thereby allowing rotation of the second end when the second holder isrotated.

There is thus also provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, a fibre optic coupler assembly for opticallyaligning a sectioned fibre optic cable, the cable having a first end anda second end and comprising one or more fibre optic cores, the assemblycomprising

-   -   a means for holding the first end;    -   a means for holding the second end coupled to the first end;    -   a means for retracting the second end;    -   a means for resiliently linearly aligning the ends;        whereby the first and second ends are coupled by the respective        holding means and whereby the second end can be linearly aligned        in the aligning means, retracted using the retracting means, and        rotated to obtain rotational alignment of the fiber cores of the        ends.

There is thus also provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, a method for optically aligning a sectioned fibreoptic cable, the cable having a first end and a second end andcomprising one or more fibre optic cores, the method comprising holdingthe first end;

-   -   holding the second end coupled to the first end;    -   retracting the second end;    -   resiliently linearly aligning the ends;        wherein the first and second ends are coupled and wherein the        second end is linearly aligned, retracted, and rotated to obtain        rotational alignment of the fiber cores of the ends.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention is described herein, by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying Figures, in which like components aredesignated by like reference numerals.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal centre line section view of two fibre opticcables interconnected to an intermediate cable coupler.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the coupler shown in FIG. 1; is alongitudinal centre line section view of a first cable used with thecoupler;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal centre line section view of a second cable usedwith the coupler;

FIG. 5-15 show sequential general and detailed views of the insertion ofthe two parts of the cable in the coupler and rotation of one of theparts;

PART NUMBERS USED IN THIS SPECIFICATION

-   10 first cable-   11 cable luer-   12 second cable-   13 sleeve-   14 fibre-   15 filler-   16 fibre optic cable coupler-   18 first cable guide-   19 guide hole-   20 cable locking pad-   22 cable locking seat-   24 cable locking cylinder-   26 cable locking spring-   28 cable locking spring seat-   30 cable locking button-   32 cable locking rod-   34 main barrel-   35 barrel cavity-   36 hole for cable locking rod-   38 channel for retention clip-   40 alignment cylinder holder-   41 alignment cylinder holder cavity-   42 alignment cylinder-   42A grooved alignment cylinder component-   42B flat alignment cylinder-   44 alignment spring component-   46 retraction clip-   48 retraction clip button-   50 pressure spring-   52 washer-   54 second cable guide-   55 channel-   56 clip releasing wall-   57 clip stop wall

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a coupler for end-to-end connection of segmentsof cables comprising one or more fibre optic cores.

A typical of use of the present invention is for over-the-wireangioplasty balloon treatment, where a fiber optic cable that iscollecting data in a blocked heart vessel is also used as a guide-wirefor a balloon. In this application the cable must be cut at some pointto allow the balloon to be attached and then reconnected.

With reference first to FIGS. 1 and 2, the fibre optic cable couplerassembly 16 can receive at opposite ends identical fibre optic cables.For purposes of description, the cables and the ends into which they fitare labeled in this specification “first” and “second.” Thesedesignations are for ease of description and do not have functionalimplications, i.e., first cable 10 could equally have been called secondcable, and vice versa.

The coupler 16 comprises three primary mechanisms: a means for holding afirst cable, a means for holding a second cable, and a means forrotating the second cable until the fibers align. The primary innovationof the coupler lies in the means for rotating the second cable, theheart of which is the alignment cylinder 42, as will be explained later.

First cable guide 18 is a cylinder provided with a hole 19 for receivingfirst fiber optic cable 10. Hole 19 widens at the proximal end tofacilitate insertion of cable 10. First cable guide 18 sits insidebarrel cavity 35, which is a cylindrical element, against cable lockingcylinder 24.

A means is required to lock first cable 10 in place once the cable hasbeen inserted as far as alignment cylinder 42. In the preferredembodiment this is implemented as a spring-actuated mechanism describedbelow. This is a convenient locking mechanism but many other cablelocking mechanisms are known to those skilled in the art.

Cable locking seat 22 is an elongated element that holds cable lockingpad 20. Cable locking seat 22 is pressed up by cable locking spring 26.Cable locking pad 20 is an elongated element made from a malleablematerial such as rubber, that holds first cable 10 against lockingcylinder 24.

Cable locking spring 26 sits in cable locking spring seat 28. Seat 28 isa cylindrical element that is threaded into locking cylinder 24, suchthat spring 26 normally presses up against cable locking seat 22.

When pressure is applied to locking button 30, the button pushes down onrods 32 which in turn move down through holes 36 pushing down seat 22.Downward movement of seat 22 releases pad 20 freeing cable 10 to movelaterally between pad 20 and locking cylinder 24. When pressure isreleased from locking button 30, the mechanism works in reverse, withthe result that first cable 10 is held in place between pad 20 andlocking cylinder 24.

Cylinder 24 sits inside cavity 35 of main barrel 34 against alignmentcylinder holder 40. Alignment cylinder 42 is a cylinder-shaped componentcomprising grooved alignment cylinder component 42A and flat alignmentcylinder component 42B, held together with alignment springs 44. When acable 10 or 12 is inserted into the longitudinal groove running alongthe face of grooved alignment cylinder component 42A, the part of thecable that extends above the surface of grooved component 42A forcesflat alignment cylinder component 42B out against alignment springs 44.When the insertion force stops, springs 44 keep flat component 42Bagainst the cable holding the cable loosely in place against groovedcomponent 42A.

It will be noted that alignment cylinder 42 is the primary component ofthe apparatus, providing a means for holding cables in place to make theconnection between the cables but not holding the cables so tightly thatthe cables cannot be rotated to seek proper alignment. Since the channelholding the cables is formed from a flexible meeting of a groove with aflat surface, rather than being a fixed diameter bore, the cable doesnot have to be a precise diameter, rather the cable can be any diameterthat extends beyond the groove up to a diameter that forces flatcomponent 42B to a point where it impacts on cavity 41 of alignmentcylinder holder 40.

Alignment cylinder 42 sits inside cavity 41 of alignment cylinder holder40. Alignment cylinder holder 40 sits inside pressure spring 50 andwasher 52 and against second cable guide 54.

Second cable guide 54 is a cylindrical element with channel 55 in itsexterior surface running along the circumference to a depth adequate tohold retraction clip 46. Clip stop wall 57 of channel 55 isperpendicular to the exterior of second guide 54 while clip releasingwall 56 is angled in about 45 degrees such that when clip buttons 48 aresqueezed together, clip 46 pushes out along clip releasing wall 56 tillit comes out of channel 55 releasing second cable guide 54, which isthen forced out by pressure of spring 50 against washer 52.

With reference now to FIG. 3, first cable 10 is a typical fibre opticcable, comprising sleeve 13 and one or more optical fibers 14.

With reference now to FIG. 4, second cable 12 is the same type of cableas first cable 10. Second cable 12 is further fitted with a male luerconnector 11 to lock cable 12 into second cable guide 54.

First cable 10 and second cable 12 are two disconnected segments of asingle original cable. The coupler 16 is used to reconnect the segments.

A means is required to lock second cable 12 into second cable guide 54once cable 12 has been inserted through the guide to alignment cylinder42. In the preferred embodiment this is implemented as a male luerconnector 11 at the end of cable 12 which fits into a female luerconnector shape at the start of bore 56 in second cable guide 54.

This is a convenient mechanism, particularly familiar in the medicalenvironment but many other cable locking mechanisms are known to thoseskilled in the art.

With reference now to FIGS. 5-15 the operation of the coupler will bedescribed.

-   -   1. FIG. 5 shows the coupler before insertion of the cables. FIG.        6 is a detailed view of the alignment cylinder 43, which is        empty at this point, grooved component 42A pressing against flat        component 42B. First cable locking pad 20 is pressed up against        cylinder 24.    -   2. FIG. 7 shows second cable 12 inserted through second cable        guide 54 into alignment cylinder 42 and locked in place with        cable luer 11. FIG. 8 shows in detail that the cable has pushed        apart components 42A and 42B.    -   3. In FIG. 9 first spring button 30 has been pressed down        pushing down spring 26. FIG. 10 shows in detail that this        releases pressure from locking pad 20, thereby creating a gap        between pad 20 and cylinder 24 through which cable 10 will be        inserted    -   4. In FIG. 11 first cable 10 has been inserted through first        guide 18 to alignment cylinder 42 till it met second cable 12        and then first spring button 30 was released, allowing spring 26        to push up on locking pad 20, thereby holding the cable against        cylinder 24. FIG. 12 shows in detail that the two cables are now        meeting in alignment cylinder 42 and that first cable is held by        pad 20.    -   5. At this point a measurement would be made by the machine or        human operator of the coupler 16 to check the optical alignment        of the cable connection that has been achieved to this point. If        the alignment is not yet optimal, second cable can be retracted        and rotated to improve the alignment, as described in the next        step.    -   6. In FIG. 13 clip buttons 48 have been squeezed together (not        shown in the figure), raising legs of clip 46 up out of second        guide channel 55, thereby releasing second guide 54 which is        pushed out by force of spring 50 exerted on washer 52. Second        cable 12, which is locked (via luer 11) into guide 54 is        retracted with the guide. FIG. 14 shows cable 12 retracted from        cable 10 in alignment cylinder 42. FIG. 15 shows legs of clip 46        raised out of second guide channel 55, thereby releasing guide        54.    -   7. Guide 54 is rotated, which rotates second cable 12 to improve        the cable 12 alignment with cable 10.    -   8. Guide 54 is pushed back in bringing cable 12 back into        contact with cable 10 by releasing clip buttons 48, causing legs        of clip 46 to spring back down into second guide channel 55,        thereby locking guide 54 back in place.    -   9. Steps 5 to 8 are repeated until cables are optimally aligned

Advantageously, the above described invention accomplishes the objectsas follows. The coupler 16 enables end-to-end coupling and decoupling ofcable comprising multiple fibre optic cores, and further enables secondcable 12 to be rotated within alignment cylinder 42 until the fibercores 14 align.

Furthermore, since alignment cylinder 42 is comprised of two flexiblyconnected parts, grooved component 42A and flat component 42B, thedevice can accommodate a range of cable diameters and allows for loosetolerances in manufacture. This together with the inexpensive componentmaterials makes the device suitable for inexpensive mass production,hence disposable.

Furthermore, the active components of the device are simple to operateand their operation can be easily automated by one skilled in the art.

Furthermore one or both of the cables can be used with the couplerwithout any connector attached, thereby enabling a balloon to be slippedover the cable so that the cable can serve as a guide-wire.

Furthermore, since first cable guide 18 and second cable guide 54 havedifferent openings, there is no ambiguity about choosing the rightinsertion opening for each cable end.

Further still, the device of the present invention provides fast andreliable means for aligning multi-core optical fibers.

It should be clear that the description of the embodiments and attachedFigures set forth in this specification serves only for a betterunderstanding of the invention, without limiting its scope as covered bythe following Claims.

It should also be clear that a person skilled in the art, after readingthe present specification could make adjustments or amendments to theattached Figures and above described embodiments that would still becovered by the following Claims.

1. A fibre optic coupler assembly for optically aligning a sectioned fibre optic cable, the cable having a first end and a second end and comprising one or more fibre optic cores, the assembly comprising a first holder for holding the first end; a second holder for holding the second end coupled to the first end; a retractor for retracting the second end; an aligning unit comprising a resilient construction having a conduit passing through it, for linear alignment of the ends; whereby the first and second ends are coupled by the respective holders and whereby the second end can be linearly aligned in the conduit of the aligning unit, retracted using the retractor, and rotated to obtain rotational alignment of the fiber cores of the ends.
 2. The fibre optic coupler assembly of claim 1, wherein the first holder comprises a first guide having a bore extending therethrough adjacent to a first cable lock also with a bore extending therethrough adjacent to the distal end of the aligning unit, the bores for receiving the first cable end.
 3. The fibre optic coupler assembly of claim 2, wherein the lock comprises a spring pad connected by rods to a release button.
 4. The fibre optic coupler assembly of claim 1, wherein the second holder comprises a second guide having a bore extending therethrough adjacent to a proximal end of the aligning unit, the second guide bore for receiving the second end, the second guide further equipped with a second lock.
 5. The fibre optic coupler assembly of claim 4, wherein the second lock is a luer connector.
 6. The fibre optic coupler assembly of claim 1 wherein the retractor comprises a spring adjacent to the second holder, the force of the spring restrained by a clip.
 7. The fibre optic coupler assembly of claim 1, wherein the aligning unit comprises a first part having along a longitudinal axis a flat surface with a groove running down the middle of the surface, the groove having a diameter less than the diameter of the ends, a second part having a flat face along a longitudinal axis, the two parts held together along their flat faces by a spring mechanism, the face of the second part holding the ends in the groove of the first part, the spring mechanism holding the two parts together while enabling them to move apart when the retractor is operated, thereby allowing rotation of the second end when the second holder is rotated.
 8. A fibre optic coupler assembly for optically aligning a sectioned fibre optic cable, the cable having a first end and a second end and comprising one or more fibre optic cores, the assembly comprising a means for holding the first end; a means for holding the second end coupled to the first end; a means for retracting the second end; a means for resiliently linearly aligning the ends; whereby the first and second ends are coupled by the respective holding means and whereby the second end can be linearly aligned in the aligning means, retracted using the retracting means, and rotated to obtain rotational alignment of the fiber cores of the ends.
 9. A method for optically aligning a sectioned fibre optic cable, the cable having a first end and a second end and comprising one or more fibre optic cores, the method comprising holding the first end; holding the second end coupled to the first end; retracting the second end; resiliently linearly aligning the ends; wherein the first and second ends are coupled and wherein the second end is linearly aligned, retracted, and rotated to obtain rotational alignment of the fiber cores of the ends. 